Fiona Dignan, London Independent Story Prize 2024 Anthology Finalist, 'Holding the Brevity'

London Independent Story Prize 2024 Anthology Finalist, 'Holding the Brevity', Fiona Dignan

Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

I’m a mum of four, so my mornings before 9:30 am and afternoons after 2:30 pm are a whirlwind of school runs, clubs, hobbies, and acting as a chauffeur for my children’s social lives. In between, I volunteer with The Reader, a charity dedicated to bringing people together through literature. I run Shared Reading groups in local libraries, where we read aloud from poetry, short stories, and novel extracts. It’s a space where anyone can share how the words resonate with them—whether through emotions, memories, or personal reflections. Everyone experiences stories in their own way, but literature has a unique power to create connection, helping us understand ourselves and others a little better. Amidst the bustle of family life and reading, I also find time to walk the dogs—and, whenever I can, to write.

- When and how did you get into writing?

Prior to 2020, I had only ever written creatively for English GCSE (a disturbingly long time ago). I started writing during lockdown to cope with the chaos of homeschooling three children and managing a destructive toddler. I began with spoken word poetry via Zoom and it developed from there. After lockdown eased, I joined my local writing group and the online literary community Retreat West. I now write poetry, flash fiction and short stories.

I have been fortunate enough to be published in numerous publications, including Mslexia, Sweat, Ink & Tears and Cranked Anvil. I’ve won the London Society Poetry Prize, the Plaza Prize for Sudden Fiction and the Farnham Flash Fiction Prize. I have been shortlisted for the Plaza Prize for Microfiction, the Teignmouth Poetry Festival Prize and longlisted for the Bath Short Story Prize. I have a special place in my heart for the LISP awards – I have been a finalist in the short story category and twice a finalist in the poetry category. I still try to stay true to my roots by perfoming spoken word poetry at local events such as my town’s Pride, International Women’s Day and White Ribbon vigil.

- How often do you write? Do you have a writing routine? And what inspires you to write?

I’ve always been a ‘routine’ writer - up early, hit a set word count before 7am, all with the firm belief that productivity is the path to greatness. But last year, I took a Mindful Writing course with Amanda Saint (founder of The Mindful Writer, Retreat West, and WestWord) and found myself in a small group led by Amanda, who is very much a woo-woo candles type, alongside three women who were infinitely more zen and spiritually attuned than me. I, on the other hand, felt painfully straight-laced and very normal.

At the time, I was on a mission for external validation (hello awards, shortlists, and the mountain of rejections that come with them). But in this group, we focused less on output and more on really understanding our characters and the themes we cared about. Writing this way, deeply and slowly, felt almost rebellious. I know this sounds like I’ve joined a cult, but so far, no one has asked me to sacrifice anything or take part in chanting... yet.

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places, but mostly from the incidental—an overheard conversation, a headline, a scrawled piece of graffiti. Since I started writing, I’ve begun to see the world differently, as a place of quiet enchantment, where even the most mundane details can spark something unexpected. Spending time with my Shared Reading group has also been a huge source of inspiration. Watching people connect deeply through literature reminds me why stories matter, and it pushes me to write pieces that resonate, that make readers feel something real.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Having just talked about the importance of writing for its own sake, it feels a bit disingenuous to dwell on being a finalist—but I do have a special place in my heart for LISP. The awards provide an incredible platform for new writers to be heard, and it’s an amazing feeling when someone connects with your work.

That said, I think writers don’t talk about rejection enough. For every success, there are countless rejections, and it’s crucial to remember that your worth (and your writing) isn’t defined by winning or publication. The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the past few years is to write because you care—about your characters, your themes, and the stories you’re trying to tell. Recognition is great, but submitting to awards and publications that align with your values is what truly matters.

- What's the best and most challenging thing about writing poetry? 

The best and worst part of writing is the blank sheet. It holds a myriad of possibilities. Beginning to set down the shape of your poem or story, feels an act of creation, bringing forth something from nothing. However, the blank page can also be intimidating, especially when you’re low on creativity.

Now, instead of battling it, I focus on my characters—putting them through online personality tests, digging into their motivations and fears, or researching the places they live. At this point, I’m sure my internet history has me flagged by some government agency.

Then there’s the question of when a piece is done—if it ever is. I could tweak a poem or story forever. Maybe that’s part of being a writer—constantly reshaping old work as we grow.

How did you develop the idea for your LISP-selected poem? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

My poem first took shape in autumn 2023 during a walk around our local nature reserve. The meadows there are filled with wild-seeded thistles, which stand tall and deep purple throughout the summer. But as late summer fades into early autumn, they go to seed, releasing countless fluffy tufts, much like dandelion seeds, that blanket the paths in down.

On this particular walk, my children were completely captivated by the swirling fluff, even the older two, who were on the cusp of adolescence. Afterward, I found myself reflecting on this idea of being on the cusp - of seasons shifting, plants transforming, and my children growing. I wanted to hold onto that moment a little longer, to fully inhabit it before they outgrow their playful wonder at the world.

- Can you please give us a few tips about writing Poetry?

Write what you love and how you love to write. Nobody else has your voice and experiences, so develop your own particular style and write about the topics you want to. Authenticity is a kind of magic.

Look for inspiration everywhere. Seek out new experiences. If you are open, stories will find you.

Carry a writers’ notepad everywhere so when you do stumble across inspiration, you can pop it down. This doesn’t need to be a beautiful leather-bound notepad, I use the note section on my phone. Far less arty, far more convenient! I love looking through disparate notes and noticing what themes and images I’m drawn to. Just get drafting from these notes, don’t worry about it having any kind of final form, just write. After you have finished the draft, go back and edit, I usually scribble out bits I don’t feel strongly about to get to a set of words and images I can pull into a final form.

Join a writing network to support you and offer constructive feedback. There are many local and online groups. I have a group of two writers I met through last year’s LISP prize, we use Discord to send each other drafts for feedback.

- What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions? 

The best thing about entering competitions is it forces you to work to a deadline. It’s easy to procrastinate and put off writing and editing but a deadline focuses your mind. The worst thing for me is the sense of vulnerability it gives you. You are sharing your work, often personal, for judgement. However, the very act of being vulnerable and doing it anyway is a great achievement, regardless of the outcome.

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers submit to LISP?

Absolutely. LISP offers a great platform for new and experienced writers alike to share their work and to meet fellow writers.